Melamed wins Cheakapotamus on home trails

Whistler rider still perfect through four Sea to Sky Enduro Series races

Photo by Eric MacKenzieWhistler's Jesse Melamed catches his breath after the final stage of Saturday's Cheakapotamus, the fourth stop on the Sea to Sky Enduro Series. Melamed won the pro men's race.

Jesse Melamed won his hometown race and extended his lead atop the Sea to Sky Enduro Series standings on Saturday, June 28, with a victory in the Cheakapotamus.

Melamed posted the quickest time overall across the five stages held in the south end of Whistler, finishing in 27 minutes, 37 seconds, and has now won the pro men's category in all four races of the inagural series.

"It was awesome; it was super interesting," Melamed said after finishing off the last stage down Lower Riverside. "I've raced these trails a long time ago in Loonie Races, but it's totally different - you're on an XC bike in an XC race. To be on an enduro bike and pushing these trails is pretty funny. Every corner is super loose and I was laughing to myself the whole time because I was blowing out every corner."

Remi Gauvin took runner-up honours in the pro men's race at 28:50, just two seconds ahead of third-place finisher Kyle Sangers.

The pro women's title also belonged to a Whistler rider, with Katrina Strand taking down the win in 33:30. Carrie Meltzer finished second at 33:53, while Lauren Beck finished third.

Quentin Emeriau claimed the open men's race with just three seconds to spare, clocking in at 30:42 to hold off Nick McLeod in second place. Adam Price managed a third-place finish.